Bonnie Bing: Before saying hello to 2019, take a moment to reflect on 2018
Well hello 2019.
It is almost here whether we believe it or not.
The only way I can believe another year has whipped by is to look at my 2018 date book. Yes, I have a calendar/appointment/notes book that is with me at all times. I don’t put stuff in my phone because I spend half my life looking for my phone.
I’m not a phoneaphobe, I just like paper date books. Looking through the pages gives you a personal glimpse of the year. It reminds you of all the fun weddings and parties you attended and the sad times such as funerals. Also the lunches and dinners you had both for business and pleasure.
Paper or not, take a look at the address book or contact list. People moved, passed away, got divorced. Changes. Always changes.
The highlight of our year was adding a new daughter-in-law and three grandsons to our family. I got to shop for Christmas presents for boys! Two high school seniors and one in college. Shopping for three granddaughters is a piece of cake by comparison. But I have to admit I enjoyed the challenge.
Last week I wrote about holiday traditions and memories. Well, I’m about to spring a tradition I came up with on the new members of the family.
It was probably the old school teacher in me when a few years ago I thought we needed to take a moment to reflect on the past year. I wrote out some questions, gave everyone the list with space for them to write their answers and an envelope to put it in and seal it.
Yes, some rolled their eyes. One granddaughter indicated I needed to sleep more so I didn’t lie awake thinking this stuff up. But they did it.
I kept all the envelopes until the next Christmas. I gave them out, and said they could share what they had written but it was not required.
So I’m printing the sheets and hope they’ll all take part. All they have to do is complete these sentences.
The BEST thing that happened to me this year was:
The WORST thing that happened to me this year was:
The most fun event I went to all year was:
My three goals for the 2019 are:
Something I learned this year:
The biggest surprise I had all year was:
My hope for 2019 is:
Once they had opened their envelopes and read what they wrote a year earlier, they were hooked and ready to fill it out for the next year.
Even if you don’t force others to do this, take a minute to answer the questions yourself.
I’ve already filled out my sheet. A bit of reflection on the past 12 months reminded me once again how truly blessed I am.
Have a safe and happy New Year.